Barbara C. Walters

Obituary of Barbara C. Walters

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Barbara C. Walters, 86, of Warwick Township

Barbara Corey Walters, 86, beloved wife of Merrill Walters, passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Paoli Hospital. Born on July 24, 1939, in Philadelphia, Barbara was the first of two daughters for the late William and Margaret (Kendall) Corey.

Along with cousins, Barbara and her younger sister Meg spent memorable early childhood summers at their grandparent's log cabin perched high above the Delaware River on Shawnee Island. Barbara became an accomplished and avid swimmer, traversing the river to and from the New Jersey shore. She also spent carefree days canoeing through the rapids, playing Clue by the hours on the dock, and collecting wild raspberries in the untamed area of the island.

Later, Barbara's indominable persistence to own horses led her father to finally purchase a farm, which her mother named Merry Meadows. There, in Chester Springs, Barbara's love for horses defined her life even more. She schooled an unruly dappled gray Arabian mare, Gray Dawn, which her father bought for $100 at auction the same day he put a down payment on the farm. With great patience, she readied Dawn for horse shows and fox hunts with Dr. Clarkson Addis's Whiteland Hunt. Eventually she added four more horses to her stable, always enjoying long rides along the Horseshoe Trail and the rolling hills of Chester County.

At Downingtown High School, she played saxophone in the marching band and jazz quartet, using the instrument her father had played. Accomplished in academics as well, she was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduating from high school, Barbara followed her desire to travel and enrolled at Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, Colo., where she earned a business degree and took advantage of a summer program in Guadalajara, Mexico. She also met her husband of 64 years at CSU. Married soon after college, they moved to Washington state, northern Minnesota, southern Indiana, Milwaukee, Wis. and then in 1971 settled at Hunter Hill Farm and Stables in Coventryville, Pa. Her role as manager of the family horse farm thus began, as it became a hub for learning horsemanship and the finer points of a balanced seat, jumping and dressage.

An equestrian at heart, Barbara devoted many years to supporting young riders and the local equestrian community. She was district commissioner of the Pickering Hunt Pony Club, a member of the Kimberton Hunt Club, and served on the board of the Oley Valley Combined Training Association. At Hunter Hill Farm she delighted in organizing many horse shows that focused on young and beginning riders. She also took great pleasure in seeing her horses used.

When the Olympics were in Atlanta, Georgia, Barbara and Merrill, through their connection with Radnor Hunt, volunteered at the steeplechase events. Quite a few years later, she and Merrill developed an interest in driving their ponies and competed at Devon, placing fifth in their category. She said the honor was largely due to the help of friends who spent hours in preparation.

Devoted to history, particularly in the era when horses were as much for transportation as pleasure, Barbara studied and collected 19 th -century furniture and antiques. She repaired and refinished what she found at auctions and yard sales, often sharing the fun of discovery with a friend who also loves horses. They displayed and sold their wares at juried antique shows, somehow managing to load and unload quite heavy, bulky items by themselves. Most recently, Barbara has been selling her antiques at Fox Room South in Elverson, Pa.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Merrill; her two children, Paige Young (Art) and Dean Walters (Debbie); five grandchildren, Emy Ludwig (Eric) as well as Dean Jr., Alexander (Clare), Ryan, and Aaron Walters. She is also survived by her sister, Meg Cave (Bill Ternay); nephew and niece, Scott Cave (Cyndee) and Corey Cave Schamberg (Ben); their children, Catherine, Mae, and Addy Cave, as well as Leo and Lance Schamberg; and many cousins including Jim Corey (Alice), Teena Corey, Ted Groves (Katja), and Emmy Sortor.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 22, 10:30 a.m., at Coventryville Cemetery, Grace Rd. and Chestnut Hill Rd. behind Coventryville United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jeremiah Martin will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Mennonite Disaster Service, 583 Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543. Online donations and condolences may be offered at sgsfuneralhome.com. Shalkop, Grace & Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Spring City, Pa., are handling the funeral arrangements.

The Walters' farm will host a reception immediately following the service.